Risk

There have been several books/papers on human beings irrational approach to risk and reward. Continuing the postulation is John Mueller of Ohio State University, in this piece, the author analyzes how resources are allocated towards counter-terrorism do not correspond to the risks associated with it. The author counters his own argument by stating that the increased costs, that are sometimes correlated with "superficial" responses to risks (the author uses National Guard standing on street corners) are sometimes worth the irrational costs because of the comfort it provides to a population, or a perceived level of safety. That comfort allows them to carry on with the tasks of life, keeping the economy going, etc.